Bonfield, pitchers come through for Razorbacks

Matt Jones

03/13/2016

Luke Bonfield had two RBI hits and six pitchers combined to allow two hits as Arkansas beat Western Illinois 3-0 Sunday at Baum Stadium. This story is free courtesy Northwest Arkansas Honda Dealers. Click the banner to learn more.

Luke Bonfield had two RBI hits and six pitchers combined to allow two hits as Arkansas beat Western Illinois 3-0 Sunday at Baum Stadium.

The No. 14 Razorbacks (13-3) swept the three-game series.

Bonfield had an RBI single in the first inning and added a two-run double in the fifth inning to extend Arkansas' lead to 3-0. After going 3-for-3 with two walks Saturday, Bonfield finished Sunday's game 2-for-4.

"He's been swinging the bat good," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "He's been swinging the bat well in batting practice; gave himself a shot yesterday and obviously had a really good day."

His two hits were all the Razorbacks' pitching staff needed. Freshman Barrett Loseke struck out four and gave up just one hit in a four-inning start.

In five appearances this season, Loseke hasn't given up a run in 10 2/3 innings. He also pitched three innings earlier in the week against Gonzaga.

"I'm proud of Barrett Loseke for getting us off to a good start and giving us a chance to win," Van Horn said.

Kacey Murphy and Josh Alberius each pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief, and Ty Harris recorded the final two outs of the eighth.

Doug Willey gave up a single and a walk in the ninth. Willey was replaced by Jordan Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth during the middle of an at-bat.

Willey threw seven pitches to Nick Schrader, who flied out right field to end the game. Rodriguez, who threw two pitches, recorded the one-out save.

The Razorbacks recorded 10 strikeouts. After allowing 15 runs on 18 hits in a loss to Gonzaga on Wednesday, the Hogs gave up a combined five runs and 15 hits during the Western Illinois series.

"I think (the pitchers) were more in attack mode today and throughout the weekend than they were against Gonzaga," Loseke said.

Freshman Ian Koch allowed three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Leathernecks (2-11). He struck out five before being pulled after Bonfield's RBI double in the fifth.

The Razorbacks had several chances to increase their lead, but stranded eight runners.

"We set up inning after inning and we couldn't get a big hit," Van Horn said. "Give them credit for pitching out of jams. We left too many runners on base today, that's for sure."

Arkansas is scheduled to play again Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. against Grambling State.